Rutgers wrestler Anthony Ashnault went 15-3 wrestling unattached while redshirting last season after finishing with a 170-0 record at South Plainfield High School.(Photo: Courtesy of Rutgers athletics communications)

Story Highlights

Anthony Ashnault became N.J.'s first undefeated four-time state champ at South Plainfield HS

Ashnault says he is "at least 10 times better" now than he was then after a year in Rutgers' program

Ashnault was the youngest member of USA University World Team, which competed in Hungary last week

The 141-pounder has his sights set on multiple national titles, including one as a redshirt freshman

PISCATAWAY — Anthony Ashnault says that the only undefeated four-time state champion in New Jersey high school wrestling history would be no match for him today. He would know better than anyone else.

"I think all aspects of my game are at least 10 times better now," Ashnault said. "If I were to wrestle my senior in high school self, I'd probably crush it. I think I'd major (decision) myself at least. Maybe a tech fall."

It often looked like there was not much room for improvement as Ashnault cruised to a 170-0 record in four different weight classes at South Plainfield, but the technical and mental benefits gained redshirting as a true freshman at Rutgers last season suggest otherwise. It's still just the beginning of the road.

Ashnault was the youngest member of the USA University World Team, which competed last week in Hungary. He lost his only match at 65 KG/143 pounds to Mihail Sava of Moldova.

"It stunk because I went out there to win it, but it was what it was – a good learning experience," he said. "Most (Team USA members) are out of college so they've been through the grind that I'm about to go through, especially now entering the Big Ten. I was learning every day, seeing what they went through, how they handled adversity when they got hurt. Everything that goes into the sport, because it's not just on the mat."

Ashnault, whose undefeated streak ended when he went 15-3 wrestling unattached last season, made his first true splash at the collegiate level in May by winning his weight class at the University Nationals. He beat three All-Americans, including 149-pound national champion Jason Tsirtsis of Northwestern.

"I was thinking, 'I'm just as good as him,' because I believe I can be a national champ so it wasn't really a confidence issue," said Ashnault of beating his potential soon-to-be three-year rival. "I knew I had to go out there and perform to the best I can. I knew I had to get my offense going often because he can score a lot of points. I knew I was going to have to get a couple takedowns to win the match and I did."

Rutgers, which last season produced its first All-American (redshirt sophomore 157-pounder Anthony Perrotti) since 2002, never previously was represented by a member of the USA World Team.

"When we recruited him we talked about making world teams. I didn't think it would happen this fast, but it did so that's good," Rutgers coach Scott Goodale said. "The big thing is consistency. It's great to make a world team but at the end of the day you want to go out and win a medal and he didn't get to do that. He wants to win. That's the kind of kid we want. He is absolutely not satisfied."

While Rutgers wanted Ashnault, Ashnault was torn between Rutgers and Michigan as a top recruit. Rutgers' offseason hiring of associate head coach Donny Pritzlaff away from Michigan turned Ashnault into a winner.

"It's crazy how things work out because I was looking at Michigan pretty heavily and I was going to go there and be with him," Ashnault said. "Now that he came to Rutgers, it's the best of both worlds."

Of course, losing can feel like the end of the world to an athlete with so little margin for error.

"Most Division I athletes hate to lose anything," said Ashnault, who counted a first- and a third-place finish among his 2013-14 achievements at 141 pounds. "At first you always think it's the worst thing. Then you come to realize … it means something but there is always time to get over it and move on and keep working toward the main goal."

"The expectation is not to go undefeated. His expectation is to win four national titles," Goodale said. "Will he do that? I'll never bet against the kid. It doesn't happen every day. But somewhere along the line he is going to win a national title. Right now it's about getting better. It's a long season. It's not a redshirt season where he gets two or three weeks off. He has to be able to deal with the grind of the Big Ten night-in and night-out."

The international experience might just have been the perfect launching pad for doing so.

"In the surroundings I'm in right now at Rutgers, I got so much better technically and I have so much more confidence," Ashnault said. "I believe right now I could step on the mat with anyone in my weight class, whether it be in the world or the nation. I think that's a big factor. It's important that you know you can win when the time is right."